Matthew Luckhurst, a former officer with the San Antonio Police Department, has been hired by the Benavides Police Department, despite past incidents that led to his firing from SAPD. Luckhurst was previously accused of giving a homeless person a sandwich filled with feces in 2016 and of smearing a feces-like substance in the women's restroom at the SAPD bike patrol headquarters. He faced two indefinite suspensions as a result of these accusations.

Despite the past controversies, the Benavides Police Department has chosen to give Luckhurst a second chance. "This hiring demonstrates their commitment to offering individuals a second chance," was part of a statement provided to KENS 5. Luckhurst was reinstated by an arbitrator after maintaining that the allegations from his tenure with the SAPD were untrue.

Luckhurst's time with SAPD ended in indefinite suspensions, initially in 2019 due to a technicality that required its administration to discipline him within 180 days of the incident. Then Police Chief William McManus described Luckhurst's actions, “This is probably one of the most disgusting, vile, repulsive things that anybody has ever done," according to records from a 2020 arbitration hearing. After his stint with SAPD, Luckhurst was employed in 2020 by the Floresville Police Department before parting ways with them two years later amid persistent controversy over his past conduct, as reported by KENS 5.

Now, as he has served with the Benavides Police Department since April of 2023, the department is facing questions regarding their hiring procedures. The Texas Commission on law enforcement told KENS 5 that they're looking into the hiring to ensure Mr. Luckhurst was instated properly, and cited new processes to be implemented in June of this year.

Moreover, Luckhurst has an "exemplary" record with no complaints or issues since joining Benavides PD, as informed by Chief Andre Hines in a statement obtained by KSAT. Chief Hines emphasizes the department's commitment to honesty and accountability. For his part, Officer Luckhurst is reportedly deeply grateful for the opportunity to rebuild trust and serve the community with integrity, per the Benavides Police Department's statement.